I chose the ocean at Brighton Beach as the background for this portrait of a young woman.  Her name is Marina, which means "from the sea" in Latin, and it suited her well—she was so at ease in the water.

I was taken by her sweet smile, and many curves—in her bright face, and the tightly bound hair and necklace that encircle it, and in the low neckline of her dress dropping off her shoulder.  She had a simple elegance and was, at once, prim and sensual, dignified and alluring.  I took many photographs, but liked this one best because the wave in the background complements her hair and echoes the shape of her collar bone. It has become a part of her.